Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-09-24
Five hundred dollarSt


fixed on To carry her back to Sorrento.
heart on-her marriage basket the day
she would become the legitimate wife
Of worthy Salvatore, who in the mean
time was patiently idling away his
time and awaiting his bride. sleeping
under the orange-trees like a DOR
mouse.
Alas! il would take long time yet
10 collect live hundred dollarsi many
pictures must be posed for before the
mage sum would be complete.
Frederick Holt iclt tender sentiment
for his little model,-a sentiment whose
full meaning he perhaps did not inter-
pret even to himself He felt happy
when she was in his studio, and loved
to hear the sound of her pleasant little
voice and note the expression of her
bright dazzling eyes. She was only
model; yet he had never dreamed of
paining her little heart with an evil
action. The idea Of marriage with her
WAS ridiculous; and yet how dark his
studio seemed to grow when she left it!
what sunshine she brought with her.
and what lonely life was his!
The day following that of the re-
ception at the studio Graziella reappear-
ed according to her promise. The door
being open. she entered without knock
ing. to find herself quite alone in the
room which the artist had just left.
On entering soon after. he heard 4
little cry of Joy. and saw his model
standing before bright OIL sketch
hung against the wall in q corner
usually concealed by y heavy tapestry
curtain; and, amid quantity of studio
rubb sh and sketches brought from
Italy, was the painting that had at
tracted Graz elias attention. She
clappcd her hands with pleasure, while
her breath came more and more quick
ly, and her great eyes dilated as though
receiving a reflect. on from the vivify-
ing Italian sun.
The whole attitude of the girl was
that of ecstasy. 'Oh, it is that! IL is
thatm she murmured. The laurel
trees, the wild chestnut behind the
hill, where the boys play mora; and,
blessed Maria! the very houses are
there, even the one where | was born!
How beautiful it is! how happy it
makes me to see my country again!
ALI, if could only remain here look NJ
at it foreverr'
The girl had fallen on her knees as
before Il Modonna, repeating to her.
SELF
How lovely it is! 1t seems rs
though must be back in Sorrento. and
Salvatore must be coming to meet me!
was cold little while ago; now l am
warm. l feel the sun upon the canvas,
which sparkles in the tree tops and on
the sea- 1t is beautiful. so beautiful
Graziella was so absorbed in the con-
temptation of the picture and the
memories it called forth that she did
not notice the entrance of Frederick,
who gently approached her, and after
listening with thoughtful face to her
monologue, touched her cheek lightly
with trembling finger and said:
care you praying, little one?"
.'Oh, no. sgnor; l was thinking that
these sketches must be worth some
thing at least this one of my OWL
country"
II had forgotten them, little one" !"
| he answered.
This one of Sorrento, signor, is
beautiful; how well | know it, Ii
needs only Salvatore in it to make il
perfect"
Salvatore" he repeated, gazing
down thoughtfully at the flushed, ex'
cited face of the girl.
"My Intended husband, signor; he
lives at the place you have so beaut.,
fully painted"
.And are YOU so anxious to see him
again, little one?"
The grl did not answer in words
but tears welled up to her eyes. and
her lips trembled. The man turned
aside and walked to the dusty window,
and in moment the girl was by bis
side.
Your soul speaks in that picture,
signor. 1t is lovely--better, far better,
than that" she added, pointing to the
famous "Nero's Dream.
You shall sec Salvatore, little one. '
said the artist. gazing sadly at the girl
"but leave me now. for l have no neeC
of YOU this morning"
There was vet 4 day to spare before
the expiration of the time in which hi
pictures were to be sent to the exhibi
ton.
When Graziella left the room
"Nero's Dream" was turned to th'
wall and was never finished. Two
weeks later Frederick had the satisfac
ton of seeing his Sorrento" admira
bly, hung at the academy, where it Wa
enthusiastically praised. and, what il
better, was sold at an extravagant ant
unlooked-for price to an enthusiastic
millionaire.
One day, when Graziella was agair
posing for our friend, and looking NOR
oensive than usual. Frederick suddenl
surprised her BY asking how much mon
ey was yet lacking to make up the sun
of the coverted five hundred dollars.
ALIAS! signor, three hundred dol
lars" was the mournful reply. IL shal
not see Salvatore for many year.
'And are you so anxious to see hin
little one?'
NV heart would break, signor
without that hope. He is my life, IN,
soul ~
The artist sighed. and stared gloom
ingly at the young girl.
'Are you angry with me, signor?'
she asked timidly.
ANGRY, little one? No! See m
child, here are three hundred dollars
Take them; they are honestly your:
for without you they would never hav
been earned Through you sold m
Italian sketch, and l give you this t
| ko l. 20 to1r Nd fO Salu atpr